Chapter Text
Neteyam was looking into the flowing water below him, though he couldn’t place how long he had been at the familiar fishing spot. He felt as though he had stepped up to the water’s edge only moments ago and yet had also spent an eternity in this spot.
The light reflected off of the water’s surface gently, almost unnaturally so, dancing along the ebbs and flows of the stream as it came from over the small drop of the waterfall, tumbling down below the surface at the base, and continuing on with the current. Little shimmers finding their way.
Neteyam was home. The forest surrounded him like he had never left. And yet. And yet he couldn’t escape the feeling that something was missing. He would know the way from here to High Camp with his eyes closed. And yet.
The mist gathering at the base of the shallow waterfall beside him blew into Neteyam’s face and around him, lightly tugging at his hair and rustling the leaves on the path at his back.
Neteyam blinked, suddenly more aware. A feeling surrounded him, a feeling like a presence had just stepped away from the small clearing. He slowly stood and looked around himself. He half-expected to see someone just behind him. Now that he listened though, he could just make out a familiar sound of footfalls padding away. The pair of steps were so light you would only notice if you knew to listen, a familiar echo just beyond the bend, matching each other step for step.
The feeling of peace Neteyam had felt up until that point began to wash away as the steps faded slowly into the distance, bring with them any warmth he had felt in the small clearing. The awareness of the loss brought Neteyam back into his body, stumbling to his feet. He looked down at himself, put a hand to his chest, felt his suddenly cold skin and racing heartbeat, and took a deep breath. Had he been breathing before?
Neteyam reached his hand out and watched it. Feeling abruptly disconnected from his own body, he wasn’t even sure he’d been in his body until a moment ago. Fear gripped him and Neteyam watched as his hand shook, hanging empty in the air before him.
“Dad?” His voice came out softly, barely more than a whisper, swallowed quickly by the forest around him.
The peace from just a moment before while watching the play of the light on the water was suddenly suffocating. Neteyam couldn’t breathe. The forest he had grown up in was empty and cold, isolating. Neteyam felt tears spring to his eyes as he realized he could no longer hear anything around him.
Wasn’t he just listening for something? Reaching out for something – someone – some comfort – just beyond his reach?
Neteyam’s mind spun. Where was he? He knew he should know the answer, but all he wanted was his mom and dad, to be enveloped in their protective embrace.
Dad. That’s what he has been looking for, the echoes of his presence still fading, mom surely not far behind.
Sullys stick together. Surely his parents wouldn’t have left him behind?
Pulled from his panicked thoughts, Neteyam felt the mist on the breeze against his skin, blowing from the waterfall at his back. It seemed to waft right through him, calming his heart, and continuing down the path ahead of him. He watched as the breeze move through the trees around him, bringing with it the natural light of the flora in the dark. The path in front of him was suddenly clear.
Neteyam stepped forward, following the faded footsteps. Behind him, light danced on the mist and followed after him.